Brew 
You don’t need a machine with “cappuccino” written on the front to make a good milk drink. What matters is how it makes the coffee and how much of the milk preparation you want to do yourself.
Do You Want to Steam the Milk Yourself?
A manual steam wand warms the milk and adds foam while you hold the jug. It takes a little practice, but you get to learn the texture you like. The CASABREWS CM5418 and Breville Barista Express are two examples.
If that sounds enjoyable, a hands-on cappuccino machine is worth considering. If it sounds like one more job before work, look at automatic milk options.
What Does Automatic Milk Frothing Do?
Some machines help with a steam wand and jug. Others draw milk from a container and dispense it into the cup. Those are different setups, even though both help with milk.
The Bambino Plus still needs you to prepare the espresso. A Philips 3300 LatteGo handles more of the coffee preparation too. Check both parts before deciding which is easier for you.
Could a Separate Frother Be Enough?
Absolutely, especially if you only make milk drinks now and then. Brew your coffee, froth the milk, and pour them together. Check whether the frother heats the milk as well as making foam, and whether it comes in the bundle you’re buying.
Check What’s Under the Milk
A traditional cappuccino starts with espresso. Some coffee brewers make a concentrated brewed-coffee base instead. Both can be enjoyable, but a frother alone doesn’t make a coffee maker an espresso machine.
Don’t Forget the Cleanup
Milk parts need washing after use. Take a look at how the jug, container, or tubes come apart before you buy. The machine that makes the drink fastest may not be the one you find easiest to clean.
Our coffee machine finder can help you compare your drink, budget, and how much work you want to do.
Coffee Machines You Might Want to Look At
| Machine | How It Makes Coffee | How You Make the Milk | Built-In Grinder | Who It May Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASABREWS CM5418 | Hands-on espresso | Manual steam wand | No | Try Espresso Without a Big Spend |
| Breville Bambino Plus BES500BSS | Hands-on espresso | Automatic milk frothing | No | Espresso with Help for Milk |
| Philips 3300 LatteGo EP3341/50 | Fully automatic | Automatic milk frothing | Yes | Easy Coffee and Milk Drinks |
Still deciding? Have a look at our coffee maker reviews, espresso machine reviews, or cappuccino machines to see what else might suit you.